Chapter 5 - A Meeting of Heroes

-Jaune Arc-

It was a pleasant morning, growing steadily warmer as the sun slowly crested over the horizon and pierced through the undergrowth where our unit had sat since last night in wait. 'The minutes just before a battle shouldn't be pleasant...' I couldn't help but think rolling my shoulder, muscles stiff with protest at having been crouched in the same position for so long but the endless hours spent in training had paid off it seemed, 'Shield raised, spear forward, focus on the target and...' I almost screamed when a callused hand clutched for my arm gently but firmly, head spinning to face its owner, a large man with a scarred face staring down from his place at my side through his helmet with vibrant green eyes. "Remember to breathe little flower, find your balance."

His voice was kind yet firm, insistent almost, and even more surprisingly a touch worried. "I'm fine father, just nervous...and excited!" I added quickly in a squeak, blushing as red as the hair that flowed out from the back of my own helm at the laughter rising up from the ranks behind us. "I-I won't fail you father, or our home!" I got a few muffled cheers and rough claps on the back that would most certainly bruise even with my armor on but father merely nodded and brought his hand back to his spear.

"Seems none of us doubt that, just remember that your brothers and sisters, your family, stand, fight, and bleed behind and beside you. Recall that your dear mother and our forebears honor us all this day!" More cheers and rattles, kept low as not to reveal our position though I could tell I wasn't the only one feeling the tense atmosphere. For years I had trained for these few moments, weapon and shield placed in hand from the moment I could walk, determined to follow the path of battle as my father and his mother had done before. 'Doesn't help the ache though...' All whispered conversations ceased immediately at the sound of a loud whistling bird call, the signal we had waited for since dawn, replaced by the last minute tightening of straps and the rustle of armored knees shifting along the brush littered floor. I myself tightened my grip on the short spear lying beside me, the familiar feel of the wood digging into old calluses.

It took a few minutes more but finally we could make out the sound of the battalion marching through the ridge below us, a long roiling snake of foreign men and women fresh from their own lands looking forward to their first battle but tired from a night spent marching in their commanders foolish attempt to gain distance. Some in our number had held complaint about fighting a weary foe but their numbers, outnumbering ours by nearly three to one, made the difference tolerable if only just. 'The look on the general's face when the forces of Sanctum accepted...'

I made to raise my stance along with the others but father's hand held me back a second, "Watch your footing and don't fall behind or falter Pyrrha, more than one fine warrior has tripped in the first minute of a charge only to be crushed beneath foot by brother and sister unable to cease or provide aid. Fourteen years may have taught you how to walk and run but..." he trailed off enigmatically, a haunted look tinting his visage, "it's no fate for a proper warrior, and much less one I would have for my daughter."

I nodded to my father's pleasure, feeling proud that I only felt a shiver run down my spine at the words rather than freeze or something even more shaming. With a wide grin he rose to his feet and looked back at his soldiers, the red cloak he wore falling behind him with the shield and spear of Sanctum emblazoned in gold across it, and raised his weapon high. "Strike hard, strike fast, STRIKE TRUE! FOR SANCTUM!" With a roar quickly taken up by all myself included, throat burning as we barreled through the brush in a massive armored wave.

'Shield up, grip tight on the spear, not too tightly now…!' My mantra was cut as I felt a patch of loose gravel slip out from under me, my body lurching forward slightly in one terrifying instant before I managed to regain footing, heart pounding at just how close I'd come to death and the sudden exhilaration of life.

Below us the enemy had bunched up in confusion at the sudden halt, shouts of alarm and fear drowned out by our own war cry and then we were on them, an older man in tan colored breastplate and a plumed helm stood before me, trying to raise his shield in a futile effort to ward off the spear lunging for his exposed neck. The flash of steel, the feel of a warm spray across my face that tasted bitterly of copper, and then all else was lost as the chaos that was war swept me away in the tide.

"Uwah!?" I jolted upwards caught in a tangle of blankets, falling off the bed again with a crash of flailing limbs. There I lay in a pile of sweat stained sheets staring up at the ceiling of the plain room Junior had loaned me above the club, my heart pounding as if I'd actually just pulled off that charge in the dream. 'What was that?' Never before had I had a dream so. vividly real before. After my shift had ended I'd been so tired Lancer practically had to drag me up to the room, my body just refusing to keep itself up, eyes closing as soon as my head hit the soft pillows.

A loud crash drew my attention, the red haired Mistralan bursting into the room still wearing the uniform Junior had provided her, spear appearing in a flash of crimson gold light in hand and ready to strike "Jaune, are you alright!?" I could already hear complaints and disgruntled shouting coming from the twin's rooms, luckily it seemed that the boss himself was still out on business and not in at the moment or this would've been much more embarrassing, and deadly. "I heard shouting and thought an enemy Servant may have…!" she lowered her voice and dismissed the spear as Melanie and Miltia popped their heads out to glare at us, "might have attacked in your sleep, Assassin or Saber once again…"

"I'm...I'm fine, just a nightmare is all." I said quickly trying to reassure her and get the terrifying image of the sword wielding murderer standing over me out of my head, 'hair and eyes just like in the dream, how…?' The explanation seemed enough for the Servant who bowed her head, relief etched in her sharp features. "Did I end up waking you? Sorry."

She shook her head, closing the door behind her before striding into the room, "Do not worry yourself, as a familiar I'm sustained by your Aura and thus don't require sleep." I looked up at that one 'Sounds pretty useful actually', no wonder my energy wasn't replenishing itself normally…"You weren't aware?"

"Weiss never said anything." I murmured, grimacing at the look of guilt she wore, not as if I blamed her or anything. The heiress probably had thought it a simple and obvious conclusion not worth mentioning to another mage, 'Yay, more proof I'm probably gonna die in this thing...'. "Is there a way to, you know? Reduce the strain or something." I had to learn more if I was going to have any hope of making it out of this mess alive and learning to maintain the familiar would have to be my priority. "I feel better now than I was before but I can still feel a drain."

"I believe the issue lies not in your own power, you have more than enough to sustain me normally I would think." Pyrrha replied earnestly, lifting me to my feet with no apparent effort at all and a grip like iron, "It may just be the combined shock due to the ritual combined with the stress of keeping me materialized in this form, that you've recovered this much in so short a time is miraculous Jaune, truly!"

"Really?" That was new, complements instead of insults, that would take some getting used to. 'And what's better she actually seems to mean them.'

"Indeed, though if I might suggest it may be more prudent for me to stay in spirit form for a short while, allow you to regain your strength properly." Spirit form? Right that must've been that light show Saber and Archer used, appearing and disappearing in and out of thin air. "I do need your allowance, I just believed…" she paused mid sentence, moving to the window in an instant.

"W-What's wrong?" I asked nervously, inching towards the door, cowardly I know but a few dozen near death, and one actual death, experiences over the last few days alone had my nerves understandably on edge. "Another Servant?"

"Yes but nowhere close by…" Lancer murmured, her eyes scanning the brightly lit streets below with what was almost a smile tugging at her lips, "their announcing their presence openly for any and all to sense."

"Why would they do that?" It didn't seem like a smart idea to advertise your location in a "game", 'oh great I'm calling it a game now...', like this with enemies trying to kill you every minute. Not unless it was…

"An obvious trap or open challenge to all comers." Pyrrha finished for me, thinking along the same path I was. 'Or was she...if we're connected like Weiss said we were does that mean she could read my mind or something?' The growing smile on the Mistralan's face at that thought wasn't helping matters. "Assassin wouldn't make such an open move while Saber's master doesn't seem the type, nor does it feel like Archer."

Not Weiss then, wasn't sure if that was a relief or not "So one of the other three right?" I screwed up my face trying to narrow down according to what the heiress had told me. "Rider, Caster, and Berserker, right?" she nodded, gaze still fixed on the horizon.

"Rider or Caster then, Berserker is a violent class of dark madness and seething emotion, this energy is pure and vibrant." she faced me almost glowing with open excitement, clothing shifting back to her familiar ancient armor, my gaze locked on the emblem carved into one of the plates and sash wrapped on her waist, a spear and shield just like in my dream. "Shall we accept their invitation Master?"

I wanted to say no, wanted to tell her to just leave it be but couldn't, it just felt wrong to deny her this when she seemed so excited. "Well they are asking nicely, it'd be rude not too I suppose." Judging by the beaming grin on her face I'd made the right call 'I hope...'

-Pyrrha Nikos(Lancer)-

"So this is the place right?" Jaune asked the air awkwardly, lowering the hood of his sweatshirt as he stared up at the massive skeleton of a half built structure, letting out a high pitched gasp of fright as I appeared next to him, still not used to my spiritual state. It had been a necessity however that he recover as much strength as he could in case it came to open battle between Heroic Spirits. 'If only I didn't draw so much from him...' I lamented with a touch of embarrassment and a slight awe at the boy. Tracking the other Servant's power to this location had taken the better part of an hour but even in that short span the amount my master's Mana had recovered...'If he could just overcome these doubts within himself he might just be a force to be reckoned with.'

"Yes, the energy is emanating from this space…" I told him, Miló held loosely at my side though ready to leap up at the first sign of danger, "and you didn't seem to notice but we've already pierced one of the barriers around this place, some sort of illusion or ward though I couldn't be sure." The spell had been woven around the length of the area, likely a deterrent for the unknowing and the mundane, simple but effective in its purpose. "Stay close to me Master."

"Alright Pyr...Lancer." he said firmly, clenching his fists tightly to keep them from shaking. It was endearing to see him trying so hard, I'd been afraid he might've had a faint heart at times despite having been able to draw me from the Grail. 'He might just be a hero yet.'

"Jaune?" We both jumped at the sound of another voice when the girl from yesterday, Lady Weiss Schnee, stepped from the building's husk followed by the red robed Archer. "What in all the…!? Why are you here!?" she pointed at us indignantly. I wasn't sure how I felt about the girl, beautiful in a delicate sort of way marred only by the small scar over her eye. The huntress Ruby Rose had earned my respect but her Master had struck me in a way similar to the dignitaries of the Mistralan aristocracy, all cool politeness overshadowing their true motives. 'Though it seems Jaune has a way of chipping through it. I mused, tensing only slightly as the white haired mage stormed towards us in a huff.

"Uh ah H-Hey Weiss, what's up?" the blonde greeted her, cowering behind me even still as though I were a wall. "Nice night isn't it?"

It was quite the amusing sight they made, the young man faltering before the diminutive heiress as if she were a Beowolf. By all means as fellow Masters chosen by the Grail Jaune should've been able to stand on equal ground with her, his power even greater if less refined than her own. 'We'll need to work on that.'

"Nice night!? You shouldn't even be here you dolt! You're just going to get yourself…!"

She made to move forward but I stepped in front of her, fear flashing across her face for a split second before composing herself again, "You insult my Master mistress…" I said dangerously, looking to Archer and letting her know I meant to be civil and she could lower her bow, "this was an open challenge to all Servants and those they serve, it would have been a dishonor not to attend."

"SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE WARRIOR!" A booming voice announced from seemingly everywhere at once, hitting the eardrums like a hammer. Immediately Archer and I had our weapons up, Akuo appearing in my off hand to shield Jaune who had fallen back on the ground. Weiss was similarly perched behind Archer though her hand glowed with a light blue energy, pale eyes searching the area for the source of the shouting. "SOMETHING ONLY TO BE EXPECTED OF ONE OF THE THREE KNIGHT CLASSES!" the space a few yards away exploded in a flash of light as a great force crashed into the ground below sending smoke and debris flying. The force was so powerful it set the entire barrier flaring, the space around the project suddenly encased in a box of pulsing pink light.

"What the!" Jaune gaped at the sight before us and he wasn't the only one, a massive black furred creature sat crouched in elaborate silver worked plate. If I hadn't been able to sense the raw energy blazing within it I would've assumed it to be an overly large Ursa or some other soulless creature of Grimm that I'd faced in my past life.

The strangest thing however had to be the figure perched on its back in a high saddle, a young woman in shining heavy plate armor with pink highlights and skirt, elaborately worked wings sprouted from a tiara she wore to hold back her short orange hair from her face. Her power though was what threw me off more than anything, not a large woman but it felt as if she could bring the whole building crashing down around us, especially with the enormous war hammer she had slung across her shoulders.

"Everyone else sees the crazy bear thing right? I'm not crazy?" he pointed to the beast staring between us servants and Weiss for confirmation, his legs quaking.

"Quite the flashy entrance." Ruby laughed, eyes shining as she examined the beast, "Awesome." I supposed that at least settled the matter of who we were dealing with.

I kept my weapon close but lowered it, no use appearing to hostile "The Rider class Servant I presume." I called out to the woman currently clambering her way off the beast, stroking its head gently with a loving smile that just seemed natural on her face despite her war like appearance.

"Indeed, I guess this is everyone who'll be showing themselves tonight." Rider said with a resigned note in her voice as she looked from Archer to Lancer with shining turquoise eyes. "Oh well, they get to miss out or they're here and we just can't see them yet." I felt Jaune shift behind me, the boy probably on the lookout for these unseen spirits. "I'm glad I get to talk with someone though. What they say about the honor of the knight classes must be true then, Lancer and Archer by the weapons so we're missing one right?" she said rapidly, craning her head as if we were somehow hiding someone else, "Where's the Saber gotten too? I was looking forward to meeting with them."

The heiress handled that, taking charge of our little impromptu group, "This Saber may not hold to the same concepts of honor, he's little more than a rabid dog in my opinion." The other woman frowned but said nothing, urging her to continue on. "You say you mean to talk, not fight."

"Uh huh." she nodded jovially, throwing the white haired mage off slightly, "A promise of truce for a time. My Master set this up so he can get a sense of the other mages competing in this war and I quite agree, too much skulking for my taste in this battle. Better to be upfront with our intentions."

"Then where is he exactly?" Archer asked suddenly, "If you are as open as you say then why is he not here himself? Our masters reveal themselves…"

"Those two are already known to every other Master unfortunate;y, identity is hardly an issue for you with the waves you've been making." Rider explained casually despite the stir it caused, "And though I told him otherwise he feels it better to remain anonymous, at least until I know you won't go crazy and attack without reason." The bear creature let out a bestial roar, fur standing on end.

"And how do we know you will not attack?" The heiress spoke up again, eyeing Rider tensely, "This could be a trap, how could we possibly trust you?"

The warrior thought to herself for a moment, eyes shifting back to the building before nodding to herself confidently, kneeling in front of us with her hammer at her side "I Nora Valkryie, declared Grand Marshal by the will of the Councils of Vale, Vacuo, Atlas, and Mistral all and named the hammer of its armies." It was certainly quite a show of trust or confidence to reveal herself, my connection to the grail giving me insight into the woman. A soldier turned savior in the midst of the Grimm Wars, her military acumen as a commander almost singlehandedly responsible for Vytal's continued habitation by human life today as she led the combined might of Remnant's forces against the soulless hordes. "There, my master extends his hand to you, all we ask is to speak with you in peace." she finished, hammer and beast vanishing.

Archer and I spared glances for the other before dismissing our own weapons. "Speak of what? An alliance? Rather bold of you."

Rider shrugged her broad shoulders, a wide smile on her face as she sat down cross legged on the ground, and looked to us to do the same. The mages seemed hesitant but followed suit after us Servants had done the same though a touch bit more hesitantly, Weiss looking disdainfully at the ground. "It is a bold question my Master and I mean to ask those assembled and judge their answer." she said that last part more loudly, obviously to those who might be watching but not participating. "Bold but simple, for what do you fight for? What are your intentions for the Holy Grail should you obtain it?"

"Huh?" Weiss and Jaune both said simultaneously, glancing to each other and then back at her.

-Ruby Rose(Archer)-

"Huh?" For a response to such an unexpected question it wasn't too bad though it still made me smirk somewhat. I'd decided I liked Rider even if I was still unsure of what her Master's motives were her's seemed plain and peaceful enough. 'Plus she made a living out of slaughtering Grimm, can't fault that.' Even I'd heard tales of her on Patch from my sister growing up, a mighty hero loved by the people she saved and the soldiers under her command. I was actually feeling tempted to ask for an autograph when Arc cleared his throat.

"What did you mean by "judge their answer" exactly?" he said, peeking out from Lancer's back with a confused look.

"As I said, my Master merely asks what you intend to use the Grail for and from there we will determine between us if it is a worthy cause to follow."

She really seemed to get to Weiss with that one, her jaw dropping "Follow?"

"Yes, if your reasons for desiring the Grail are determined worthy my Master would be more than willing to form an alliance."

"But that would mean...But don't you yourself have designs for the Grail, and your master as well." This was really confusing my partner, the heiress stuck between disbelief and outright hostility, "The Grail wouldn't have chosen him if he didn't have some kind of wish of his own, it's practically a requirement!"

"Maybe his desire isn't as specific or personal as your own might be." Rider replied casually, "As for my own wish well..." she tapped her forefingers together nervously, a small grin on her face "I always wanted to see a world at peace, to know that the cause I gave my life to wasn't in vain." Not the whole truth I could tell but close enough judging from the way she spoke of it. "After I was summoned Ren used his family's resources to travel with me across Remnant, showing me things more beautiful and breathtaking than I could ever have imagined." she glanced up at us, scratching at her cheek looking almost embarrassed, "So now my only wish is to do whatever I can to see his dream fulfilled, and if that means helping one of you claim the Grail then so be it, I have no complaints."

Weiss opened her mouth and closed it again just as quickly, truly seeming at a loss for words. Jaune however stood back up, facing the Servant head on with his head held high. "You're pretty lucky Miss Valkyrie, this Ren sounds like pretty awesome guy." Rider blushed and nodded her head, again focusing on the building behind her were Ren must've been positioned, likely watching us all. "I was pushed into all of this yesterday so I haven't completely thought it out fully." he admitted, steeling himself "My wish for the Grail is...um." his face reddened, glancing back at the three of us as she shifted from foot to foot, "I-It's just that all my life I've been seen as little more than some joke, told I have all this power deep inside me but no way to use it properly, to be honest I barely even see myself as a mage with my only real skill being healing...NOT THAT THAT'S BAD!" he shouted, waving his arms, stumbling over his words as he tried to get to his point, "But the thing is I want to help people before they get hurt, protect them from harm…" his blue eyes fell on Lancer and somehow managed to blush even harder, "I want to be a hero, someone people can look to to protect them, and if the Grail can help me do that…" he trailed off, kicking at the ground while the rest of us registered his words. 'He's got spirit I'll give him that, Yang would've liked him.'

Nora eyed the young mage up and down, closing her eyes for a few seconds before nodding to herself and turning to Weiss, "And what do you want Miss Schnee?"

"What I want?" My partner faltered for only a second before raising her head high, "My desire is what my family desires, it is my father who…!"

"Yep, I liked his better too Master." the warrior cut her off, turning back on Jaune leaving a spluttering heiress in her wake and me struggling very hard not to laugh. "So you want to be a hero, that's your wish?"

"Y-Yeah."

"Some would call that a childish goal, but if what you say is true and you really do seek to help others you might just have what it takes after all." The blonde was taken aback by the compliment, uttering an awkward thank you while Lancer was positively beaming.

"Quite, he is an interesting distraction if little else." A low melodic voice drew our attention, a figure looking on with amber colored eyes and long hair darker than the night stepping the shadows behind us into the moonlight adorned in naught but a short red dress as if the cold couldn't touch her. I'd met beautiful women in my time but call this beautiful would've felt...insufficient, like saying that a sunset or a masterwork looks okay, not nearly enough to fully describe in detail. Despite this Lancer seemed to get the same feeling I had in response to the sheer waves of killing intent and power the newcomer, summoning our weapons again this time pointed at the newcomer. "Such undisciplined Servants, bearing your arms without orders."

"By those words you must be another Master then?" Nora called to her, tense by any standard though holding herself back, "Have you revealed yourself to share with us your wish? If so I am more than willing to hear it." I noted Weiss glaring at the woman, a gleam of recognition flitting across her features along with a note of fear I hadn't seen even during Saber's attack.

"My my, you were actually serious about that?" she asked, bringing a finger to her chin idly, "And if you find my own wish agreeable you would swear yourself and your Master to my cause as well?"

"IF we find it agreeable." the warrior stressed, I could've sworn I saw a small glint of the moonlight reflecting off a surface at one of the windows but the shadows were too deep to be sure.

The woman smiled but there was no warmth in it, eyes flashing like the smoldering flames in a hearth as they fell on Jaune. "Boy, you say you wish to protect those downtrodden in this flawed world, but what if the world refuses to change or accept a hero?" His eyes fell to the ground, unable to meet her stare and seemed almost relieved as it passed to Weiss, "And you little Schnee, hoping and praying that father knows best with no head of your own." she made to stride forward but I stopped her with a twitch of my bow. The way she watched me then made me feel a if I were some prize she was sizing up. "Heroes, businessmen, or even the mages can't or won't won't change the problems with this world, it lacks guidance, guidance I feel needs to be provided."

"And you would be the one to provide it?" Lancer challenged, making note of the way this woman held herself, looking for an opening. "Who gave you the right?"

"Well an ancient soul such as yourself may not be aware but my family has spent generations earning that right, moving where we could to guide the world on a better path. The grail is merely the boon needed to bring our efforts into the light and earn our just reward."

"Is that what you call it?" Weiss laughed, the Master's smile dying on her sculpted face, "Your skulking in the shadows for ages on end whispering in one ear or the other, leeching off the benefits like some kind of parasite? Guiding the world, or ruling it in the name of Cinder Fall, lady of the Fall family." she raised her hands to her side, a broad smirk she didn't feel building steadily, "Still trying to get your hands on the Grail after all this time after you tried and failed to take it when it was discovered. I'd hoped the bloodshed of the last war would've wiped that mad dream of your family's out entirely."

"Leave it to a Schnee to say too much for their own good." Cinder scowled, flames bursting to life to twist around her like serpents through the air, "Answer me Rider, is my desire not worthy of your allegiance? Is your killer of a lord not seeking the peace my rule would provide." 'Killer of a lord?' Silver eyes glanced back at Rider who still stood impassively, communing with her Ren. Without warning a loud crack pierced the night air, Cinder's flames leaping just in time to catch a projectile just before it could bury itself between her eyes. "I'll take that as an impolite refusal than, a pity." she sighed, unfazed it seemed by how close she'd just come to death, "Still, naughty children should be chided appropriately." with a wave of her arm an entire floor of the building standing over us exploded with a keening whistle, Rider's face twisting in undisguised panic.

"REN!"

"Archer strike now!" Unfortunately another wave of the foul mage's hand had me grasping for Weiss rather than Crescent Rose, leaping the same time Lancer did as far as possible before the space we'd occupied exploded with a similar wail, the heiress tucked underneath my cloak to protect from debris while Jaune was slung over one of the Mistralan's shoulders, both pale faced and coughing. 'Such power!' I'd seen the wonders magic could achieve in my trips around the city over the last few days, flight, energy, defense. 'That this woman could perform such acts so effortlessly...' She had to fall, now! I raised the bladed bow, arrow appearing with the draw of the string, edge grazing my cheek.

"Berserker, to me!" unlike the whistles that had sounded at the would be ruler's other spells the sound that answered this cry was a deafening animalistic roar, fear, pain, fury all in one long wail accompanied by a loud crash as a golden flame barreled through the bounded field Rider's Master had established, landing in a crouch in front of the cackling mage. A familiar form that turned my blood to ice and my will shattering 'No that's not...no, no, no, NO, NO!' It wasn't possible, it couldn't be real. Clad in tattered leather armor, tarnished golden plate that barely clung to her body, once flowing golden curls that had shone like the sun itself reduced to ragged curtains obscuring her face almost entirely, loving lilac eyes replaced by hate filled crimson coals clouded by the steam issuing from her mouth and body with every labored breath that had once laughed and inspired all around her.

"Y-Yang…" I whispered, not registering the tears falling down my face, the shaking in my voice, "why are you...how?"

"Yes that's right, you would recognize my new pet wouldn't you Ruby Rose?" Cinder asked smugly, beaming at my reaction like a child given a cookie, "I'll admit to some disappointment when the relic those worms brought back from the scene of your death belonged to your sister and not yourself but I found it only took a few "adjustments" to bring her up my standard. I prefer her actually, looking at you now, much more obedient." I couldn't even think, my brain a swirling mass of anger and pain.

"But how could you be Berserker!? Yang why!?" Yang Xiao Long had always had a temper, especially about her hair but she'd never truly lost control or anything of the sort even at the worst of times. She'd never…

If anything my denials only made the fire mage happier, clicking forward on glass heels to stroke my sister's crackling hair, the once proud brawler growling angrily at the contact but cowering under the look she gave her. 'I'm going to remove that hand!'"Right the legends did say you fell first on that hillside, you wouldn't have been around to witness the moment your sister lost her mind, seeing the most precious thing taken from her so violently, the destruction it brought to life…" she stepped away and the burning blonde began to snarl again, thrashing violently as she clutched for her head, flames licked the ends of her arms, coalescing into a pair of all to familiar spiked golden gauntlets, 'Ember Celica without a doubt, it's all my fault...' I felt the bow dissolve in my hands as they went for my mouth, Weiss startled cry demanding what I was doing, 'It's all my fault.'

"Yang...Sister please it's me Ruby remember! Fight it, you have to fight it!" I plead desperately, needing her to hear me...

"Berserker…" the raven haired witch raised a hand and snapped her fingers loudly, "kill them all."

A/N: Just one person busting in on this meeting after another I know. Yes as many of you probably guessed Yang is the Berserker in this story, not really a hard call to make though some felt she should've been the Rider which I can also see the validity of, just didn't play out like that and I felt this class would have more impact. I'm gonna be out of the country for a few days so work on the next chapter of this and my other stories will be put off for about a week or so and I apologize. Would just like to say again how much I appreciate the support this story has gotten, definitely the fastest growing story I've had on this site. Thanks all and I hope to be back shortly. -Mojo